The Business Solar Grant Is Now 45%
SEAI’s grant for business solar has doubled, to an effective 45% of costs, up from about 23%. It’s a temporary boost for businesses, farms, schools and community groups, open to new applications until 6 July 2027.
We design your system, tender it to SEAI-registered installers and manage the project on your behalf, so you get the right system at the right price, inside the window.
Last updated 06/10/2026 to reflect SEAI’s published scheme terms.
Nearly Double the Grant on the Same System
On 29 September 2026, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment announced a package of enhanced SEAI grants. For businesses, the headline is solar. The Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) moves from around 23% of installation cost to an effective 45%, for a nine month application window.
Sources: SEAI announcement of enhanced grants and SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant.
The Key Facts
- Per kWp grant rates have doubled, up to a maximum of €325,200.
- SEAI pays the lower of that amount or 45% of your invoiced cost.
- New applications open at 8am on 7 October 2026 and close on 6 July 2027.
- Businesses, farms, schools, public bodies and community groups can apply, for systems up to 1,000 kWp.
What to Watch For
- Existing applications won’t be increased. State aid rules don’t allow it.
- If you’ve started works under an existing offer, you can’t seek a higher amount.
- Letters of offer are valid for eight months, so installation needs to fit inside that.
What the New Grant Means for a 100 kWp System
A 100 kWp system needs roughly 400 to 500 m² of roof and produces about 85,000 kWh a year. Here’s how the grant changes on the same project.
Indicative installed cost of €1,100 per kWp for systems under 200 kWp, before VAT. The grant uses SEAI’s new per kWp rates, paid up to a limit of 45% of the invoiced cost.
See What 45% Means for You
Enter your annual electricity use and unit rate from your bills. We’ll suggest a system size and show your grant, net cost and payback under the previous and new rates, side by side.
That’s €0 more grant than before.
Indicative only. “Before” uses SEAI’s previous per kWp grant bands (maximum €162,600), which come to around 20% to 25% of cost for most commercial systems at our indicative prices. We suggest a system that generates about 33% of your annual use, to keep export risk to a minimum, with about 90% of the output used on site and 10% exported at €0.15/kWh. Costs use indicative installed prices of €1,100 per kWp below 200 kWp, €850 per kWp from 200 to 500 kWp and €700 per kWp above 500 kWp. Generation assumes 850 kWh per kWp a year, reducing by 0.5% a year. “Now” uses SEAI’s enhanced per kWp rates (maximum €325,200), paid at the lower of that amount or 45% of the installed cost. Excludes VAT, tax relief such as the Accelerated Capital Allowance, and future price changes.
Size Your System to How You Use Power
- Match the system to your daytime demand where you can. Every kWh you use on site saves your full unit rate; exported power earns less.
- 1 kWp of panels produces about 850 kWh a year in Ireland.
- Allow 4 to 5 m² of roof for every kWp.
- Larger systems need ESB Networks approval, and your connection and MIC can shape what’s possible.
We start with your half-hourly interval data from ESB Networks and 12 months of bills. Then we visit your site to assess roof condition, orientation, shading, structure, available space and grid connection. The result is a system sized to how your site actually runs, not a rule of thumb.
Who Can Apply
The grant is open to non-domestic sites across the Republic of Ireland. These are the main conditions to plan around.
Eligibility is assessed against SEAI’s scheme rules at the time you apply. We’ll check your site against the current terms before you commit.
Make the Most of the Nine Months
Solar projects have several approval stages, and some take months. Here’s how we get you from first call to grant payment.
Site Review and Sizing
We analyse your interval data and bills, visit your site and size the system to your load and roof.
Design and Tender
We specify the system and tender it to SEAI-registered installers, so you get competitive, comparable prices.
Contract and SEAI Application
You choose an installer and sign. The grant application goes to SEAI, and we check it before it’s submitted.
Letter of Offer
Your letter of offer must be in place before any work begins. It’s valid for eight months, so installation is planned around it.
ESB Networks Approval
Your installer applies before installation. SEAI advises allowing at least 4 weeks (20 working days), and larger connections can take longer.
Installation and Grant Claim
We act as your representative on site through commissioning and handover, then make sure the paperwork is right first time. SEAI aims to pay within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving it all.
Independent Advice, From Roof to Handover
We don’t sell panels. We design your system, tender it to SEAI-registered installers and act as your representative until it’s built, commissioned and handed over. Our only interest is getting you the right system at the right price.
Common Questions
When does the 45% grant start?
SEAI opened the enhanced rates to new applications from 8am on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
How long will the 45% rate last?
New applications can be made until 6 July 2027. Your letter of offer is then valid for eight months, which is the time you have to complete the works.
Is there still a maximum grant?
Yes. The maximum is €325,200, for a 1,000 kWp system. SEAI sets the grant per kWp (€600 per kWp from 7 to 20 kWp, €400 from 21 to 200 kWp and €300 from 201 to 1,000 kWp) and pays the lower of that amount or 45% of your invoiced cost.
I already have an SEAI letter of offer. Do I get 45%?
No. SEAI won’t increase existing applications, as state aid rules don’t allow it. If you’ve already started works under an existing offer, you can’t seek a higher amount. Talk to us before making any decisions on an existing offer.
Can farms get the 45% grant?
Yes, the agricultural sector is eligible. Farms may also be able to use TAMS 3. We’ll compare both routes for your farm and recommend the better one.
Can work start before the letter of offer?
No. Wait until your letter of offer arrives before any work begins on site. Jumping the gun can cost you the grant.
Does Exemplar install the panels?
No. We design the system, tender it to SEAI-registered Non-Domestic Microgen companies and manage the installation as your representative. That independence means our advice is about what’s right for your site, not what we want to sell.
What do you need from me to get started?
Twelve months of electricity bills and your MPRN. With your permission we’ll request your interval data from ESB Networks. Roof drawings or photos help if you have them.
Book Your Solar Assessment
Tell us about your site and we’ll come back to you on system size, cost and what the 45% grant could mean for you.
Prefer to speak?
+353 (21) 423 2865
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